Free-agent running back Dalvin Cook said he's "ready to roll" and would like to find a new team before training camp this summer to avoid the struggles he went through in 2023. Cook, the former Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl RB, signed with the New York Jets in mid-August last year and never got off the ground. He had just 67 carries for 214 yards in 15 games with the Jets before ultimately landing on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad before taking part in the Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. The 28-year-old was coming off surgery last year and looked sluggish, averaging a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry. "I feel great, man," Cook said. He should be able to latch on with a team for some veteran depth at the position in the next month or two, but at this point in his career, he's facing an uphill battle to regain any kind of fantasy relevance.
The Baltimore Ravens signed running back Dalvin Cook from their practice squad to the 53-man active roster on Thursday, and he's expected to make his Ravens debut in Saturday's Divisional Round playoff game against the Houston Texans, according to his agency. The Ravens waived running back Melvin Gordon III on Wednesday to open up a roster spot for Cook. Baltimore signed the 28-year-old at the end of the regular season to give them some more depth behind Gus Edwards and Justice Hill after the Ravens' backfield has been lackluster to close out the regular season. It's not like Cook is going to be a savior, though, as he averaged a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry with no touchdowns in 15 games for the New York Jets in 2023. Expect Cook to operate as the No. 3 behind Edwards and Hill on Saturday, giving him very little DFS appeal.
Ravens Hoping Dalvin Cook Can Contribute In Playoffs
Baltimore Ravens running backs Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon III weren't explosive to end the regular season, combining to average 4.0 yards per carry over the last seven games. Edwards also fumbled in his last two games, and Gordon fumbled for the 19th time in his career in Week 18. It all means that the recently signed Dalvin Cook could have a chance to go from the practice squad to making an impact in the playoffs. "We view him as a potentially very valuable weapon on our offense," head coach John Harbaugh said. "Dalvin Cook is a high-pedigree player [and] a highly decorated player." The 28-year-old now has two weeks to learn Baltimore's offense, although his production with the Jets -- career-low 67 carries for 214 yards and no touchdowns -- doesn't make it seem likely that he'll be able to help the Ravens' backfield woes all that much in the playoffs.
When asked if he sees running back Dalvin Cook as an insurance policy or a serious competitor for snaps in the playoffs, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said, "We view him as potentially a very valuable weapon for our offense. Dalvin Cook is a high-pedigree player, a highly decorated player. He's still got talent, ability, he's smart, he's in great football shape. He looked very good in practice today. So I think he's going to be a very valuable part of our team in the playoffs." Jets head coach Robert Saleh said something similar about Cook this year, but the 28-year-old didn't look good in 15 games in New York, averaging a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry on 67 carries. At best, he'll be the Ravens' No. 3 behind Gus Edwards and Justice Hill when the team plays in the Divisional Round next weekend.
Four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook is expected to sign with the Baltimore Ravens for the playoffs, according to his agency. Cook was released by the New York Jets earlier this week and will now have 2 1/2 weeks to prepare for Baltimore's Divisional Round game. The 28-year-old will be providing extra depth in the backfield behind Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon III for the Ravens as they prepare for what they hope will be a deep postseason run. Unless Edwards or Hill are injured either in Week 18 of the regular season or in the playoffs, Cook probably isn't going to make an impact for fantasy managers. Cook didn't have many opportunities with the Jets, but when he did carry the ball he looked washed up, averaging a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry.
The New York Jets are releasing veteran running back Dalvin Cook on Tuesday. The former Pro Bowler and the organization are reportedly parting ways mutually, as Cook looks to sign with a playoff team over the next week or two. Cook has had his worst season in the NFL by far, rushing 67 times for 214 yards (3.2 YPC) and catching 15 passes for 20 yards. He did not reach the end zone during his stint in New York. Ultimately, it would be surprising if any playoff team had a ton of interest in the 28-year-old given his lack of success in 2023. At best, he might end up as a team's RB3 or on a practice squad.
New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook was given double-digit opportunities last week and will hope to stay involved in Week 14 against the Houston Texans. Breece Hall (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Friday and is expected to suit up, so Cook will likely retain RB2 duties unless the injury significantly hampers the second-year pro. Even if Cook sees additional touches, they will come against a much improved Houston run defense that has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points per contest to running backs over the past four weeks. The 28-year-old will become a flex option if Hall is surprisingly ruled out, but fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on Cook this Sunday.
New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook turned nine carries into 35 yards and secured one of two targets for 11 yards in a Week 13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Cook saw double-digit touches for the first time since Week 3 and was more effective on the ground than starter Breece Hall. Given Hall's recent struggles, Cook could continue to see an uptick in opportunities down the stretch. Still, the 28-year-old will not offer much upside for fantasy purposes in New York's putrid offense. A matchup against the Houston Texans awaits in Week 14.
New York Jets running backs Breece Hall (hamstring) and Dalvin Cook (shoulder) are active in Week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after being listed as questionable. Hall will start as usual, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said that we shouldn't be surprised if Cook, a four-time Pro Bowler, sees more carries in the Jets backfield. Cook is playing through a shoulder injury, but he's looked better and better in practices. New York's inept offense now being led by quarterback Tim Boyle doesn't give any of the Jets' offensive skill players much fantasy upside, and Cook's potential bigger workload is bad news for Hall's fantasy managers. The 28-year-old Cook is averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry on 50 rushing attempts in 2023.
New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is officially active for Week 13 versus the Atlanta Falcons. He had been listed as questionable after being a late addition to the practice report on Friday. Despite suiting up Sunday, he'll remain in a backup role behind Breece Hall (hamstring). Cook has been a minimal factor on offense lately, averaging just 2.2 carries and 0.6 receptions over his last five games. He remains off the fantasy radar heading into Week 13 and can be dropped in most redraft leagues.
